PORTLAND, Ore., July 13 (UPI) -- Three states said they won't allow medical marijuana deductions for food stamp applicants after the U.S. Agriculture Department threatened to levy penalties.
A memo from the department ordering food-stamp program regional directors to stop the deductions was sent after The (Portland) Oregonian contacted the federal agency about it last week. A survey of 17 states that permit marijuana for medicinal purposes found Oregon, New Mexico and Maine allowed some applicants to deduct the marijuana's cost when applying for the benefit.